Conductive pad on protruding through electrode semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

To form a semiconductor device, a through electrode is formed in a semiconductor die, and a dielectric layer is then formed to cover the through electrode. The dielectric layer has an opening by being partially etched to allow the through electrode to protrude to the outside, or has a thickness thinner overall so as to allow the through electrode to protrude to the outside. Subsequently, a conductive pad is formed on the through electrode protruding to the outside through the dielectric layer by using an electroless plating method.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Do et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/306,685, filed on Nov. 29, 2011, entitled “CONDUCTIVE PAD ON PROTRUDING THROUGH ELECTRODE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device.

BACKGROUND

In the Information Technology (IT) industry, requirements for semiconductor devices have changed into small size and convenience in response to consumers' demands, and thus semiconductor devices are being changed to be miniaturized and modularized. Such changes are contributive to developing techniques for manufacturing the devices and require innovative process techniques.

A representative example of the semiconductor devices is a System In Package (SIP) that satisfies the aforementioned changed requirements. Here, the SIP is manufactured by putting semiconductor dies having their respective functions into a single device or stacking devices to produce a module.

Of late, as a method of stacking identical or different semiconductor dies, which is the core technology of the SIP, a Through-Silicon-Vias (TSV) process of connecting semiconductor dies by forming through holes in silicon has been in development, rather than an existing wire connection method. Here, laser drilling, wet etching, dry etching and the like are known as a technique for forming through holes for the TSV process. However, the TSV process is relatively complex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate cross-sectional views of a semiconductor device according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device according to another embodiment;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E illustrate sequential cross-sectional views of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device according to another embodiment;

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E illustrate sequential cross-sectional views of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device according to another embodiment;

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D1, 11D2, 11E1, and 11E2 are sequential cross-sectional views of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view to show a state in which a semiconductor device is bonded to a carrier wafer with a temporary bonding adhesive for a plating process of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device.

In the following description, the same or similar elements are labeled with the same or similar reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, cross-sectional views of a semiconductor device according to various embodiments are illustrated.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a semiconductor device 101 includes a semiconductor die 110, a through electrode 120, a dielectric layer 130, a conductive pad 140, and a conductive bump 150.

The semiconductor die 110 includes a substantially planar first surface 111, a substantially planar second surface 112 opposing the first surface 111. Also, the semiconductor die 110 further includes a through hole 113 penetrating the first surface 111 and the second surface 112. Also, the semiconductor die 110 further includes an insulating layer 114 on the inner wall of the through hole 113.

Furthermore, the semiconductor die 110 includes an active region 115 disposed on the second surface 112, a bond pad 116 formed on the active region 115, and another insulating layer 117 covering the circumference of the bond pad 116 and the active region 115. The first surface 111 is sometimes called the inactive surface of the semiconductor die 110 whereas the second surface 112 is sometimes called the active surface of the semiconductor die 110.

The insulating layer 114 serves to prevent the through electrode 120 from being electrically shorted to the semiconductor die 110, and the outer insulating layer 117 provides appropriate protection for the active region 115 from external foreign substances. Those insulating layers 114 and 117 may be formed of any one selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, polymer and equivalents thereof. However, in other embodiments, the kinds of insulating layers 114 and 117 are not limited.

The through electrode 120 is provided inside the through hole 113, that is, inside the insulating layer 114. The through electrode 120 is substantially formed in the through hole 113, and extends and protrudes upwardly to a predetermined length through and above the first surface 111. Here, the through electrode 120 extending through and protruding above the first surface 111 includes a top surface 121 and both side surfaces 122, and the top surface 121 is substantially planar. The exposed side surfaces 122 are sometimes called an exposed sidewall 122 of the through electrode 120, i.e., the portion of the sidewall of the through electrode 120 exposed from the dielectric layer 130.

The through electrode 120 may be formed of any one of copper, tungsten, aluminum, gold, silver, and equivalents thereof in general, but the materials of the through electrode 120 is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the through electrode 120 may further include a barrier or seed layer (not shown) disposed on the inner wall of the insulating layer 114.

The dielectric layer 130 is disposed on the first surface 111 of the semiconductor die 110 and has a predetermined thickness. Also, the dielectric layer 130 may have an opening 131 in a region corresponding to the through electrode 120. This opening 131 may have an inclined sectional shape. That is, the opening 131 may have a relatively small lower region and a relatively wide upper region.

Of course, the through electrode 120 penetrates the opening 131, and extends and protrudes upwardly to a predetermined length. In general, the length (or thickness) of the through electrode 120 extending and protruding upwardly from the first surface 111 of the semiconductor die 110 may be smaller than, equal to, or greater than the maximum thickness of the dielectric layer 130. In other words, the maximum thickness of the dielectric layer 130 may be greater than, equal to, or smaller than the length (or thickness) of the through electrode 120 extending and protruding upwardly from the first surface 111 of the semiconductor die 110.

Also, since the opening 131 is formed in part of the dielectric layer 130, the first surface 111 of the semiconductor die 110 is not exposed through the opening 131. That is, the opening 131 does not fully penetrate the dielectric layer 130 but is formed in part of the dielectric layer 130.

Here, the dielectric layer 130 may be formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of Poly Benz Oxazole (PBO), Polylmide (PI), Benzo Cyclo Butene (BCB), BismaleimideTriazine (BT), phenolic resin, epoxy, Silicone, Si3N4, SiO2, and equivalents thereof, but the material of the dielectric layer 130 is not limited thereto. Also, even though a single dielectric layer 130 is illustrated in the drawing, multiple dielectric layers 130 may be used.

The conductive pad 140 includes a first electroless plating layer 141, a second electroless plating layer 142, and a third electroless plating layer 143. The first electroless plating layer 141 roughly surrounds the through electrode 120 inside the opening 131. That is, the first electroless plating layer 141 surrounds the top surface 121 and both side surfaces 122 of the through electrode 120 exposed within the opening 131. The second electroless plating layer 142 surrounds the first electroless plating layer 141. Also, the third electroless plating layer 143 surrounds the second electroless plating layer 142. Also, the lower ends of the first, second and third electroless plating layers 141, 142 and 143 may or may not contact the surface of the opening 131.

The first electroless plating layer 141 may be formed of nickel or equivalents thereof in general, but the material of the first electroless plating layer 141 is not limited thereto. The second electroless plating layer 142 may be palladium or equivalents thereof, but the material of the second electroless plating layer 142 is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the third electroless plating layer 143 may be formed of gold or equivalents thereof, but the material of the third electroless plating layer 143 is not limited thereto.

Here, the third electroless plating layer 143 suppresses the oxidation of the through electrode 120. Also, the first electroless plating layer 141 and the second electroless plating layer 142 suppress interaction between the through electrode 120 and the third electroless plating layer 143. The second electroless plating layer 142 may not be formed in some cases.

In general, such a conductive pad 140 protrudes upwardly with a predetermined thickness or is exposed through the surface of the dielectric layer 130. Thus, the conductive pad 140 serves to facilitate the stacking of a plurality of semiconductor devices 101.

The conductive bump 150 is formed on the bond pad 116, and extends downwardly from the second surface 112. Here, the through electrode 120, the active region 115, and the bond pad 116 may be electrically connected.

The conductive bump 150 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the through electrode 120, thus allowing the conductive bump 150 to be stably mounted on an external device. Furthermore, the conductive bump 150 may come into contact with the insulating layer 117 by having a relatively great diameter. That is, the insulating layer 117 may be interposed between the bond pad 116 and the conductive bump 150.

The conductive bump 150 may be formed of the same material as the through electrode 120. Additionally, the conductive bump 150 may be formed of a material such as solder (SnPb, SnAg) or the like. Furthermore, in one embodiment, a solder cap 151 is formed on the conductive bump 150, however, the solder cap 151 is not an essential element. Of course, in a case where there is a solder cap 151, the semiconductor device 101 can be more easily mounted on an external device.

In such a manner, the semiconductor device 101 according to an embodiment has the conductive pad 140 formed by an electroless plating method, and thus seed metal is not required, and there is no need for a high-temperature sputtering process for the formation of seed metal.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a semiconductor device 102 according to an embodiment includes another insulating layer 118 on the surface of the insulating layer 117. Substantially, the insulating layer 118 also covers a predetermined region of the bond pad 116. Furthermore, a predetermined region of the conductive bump 150 also contacts the insulating layer 118. Thus, the insulating layers 117 and 118 may be interposed between the bond pad 116 and the conductive bump 150.

The insulating layer 118 may be substantially formed of any one selected from the group consisting of Poly Benz Oxazole (PBO), Polylmide (PI), Benzo Cyclo Butene (BCB), BismaleimideTriazine (BT), phenolic resin, epoxy, Silicone, Si3N4, SiO2, and equivalents thereof, but the material of the insulating layer 118 is not limited thereto.

Accordingly, in the semiconductor device 102 according to this embodiment, the insulating layer 118 can efficiently absorb stress acting on the conductive bump 150. Thus, cracking between the bond pad 116 and the conductive bump 150 is efficiently prevented.

Meanwhile, even though the insulating layer 118 is not described in the following embodiments, those of skill in the art will understand that the insulating layer 118 is applied to each embodiment in other examples.

Referring to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device 201 according to another embodiment is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 2, the semiconductor device 201 according to another embodiment is similar to the semiconductor device 101 shown in FIG. 1A, and thus only the significant differences will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, a dielectric layer 230 does not having an opening, and instead, may have a slightly protruding projection 231. That is, the through electrode 120 extends and protrudes upwardly to a predetermined length through the slight projection 231 rather than an opening. Accordingly, the thickness (or length) of the through electrode 120 substantially extending from the first surface 111 of the semiconductor die 110 may be slightly greater than the thickness of the dielectric layer 230.

Furthermore, a conductive pad 240 is formed by an electroless plating method on the through electrode 120 extending and protruding upwardly to a predetermined length through the projection 231 of the dielectric layer 230. That is, the conductive pad 240 includes a first electroless plating layer surrounding the top surface 121 and both side surfaces 122 of the through electrode 120 and disposed on the surface of the dielectric layer 230, a second electroless plating layer covering the first electroless plating layer, and a third electroless plating layer covering the second electroless plating layer.

Here, the top surface of the conductive pad 240 has a substantially planar shape. The conductive pad 240 may or may not come into contact with the projection 231 of the dielectric layer 230. Here, the first, second and third electroless plating layers are similar to the layers 141, 142, 143 as discussed above in reference to semiconductor device 101, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

Meanwhile, the semiconductor device 201 is manufactured by exposing the through electrode 120 by applying a blanket process to the dielectric layer 230, and then applying a plating process to the top surface 121 and both side surfaces 122 of the exposed through electrode 120. Here, the blanket process renders the dielectric layer 230 the thickest in a region (the projection 231) corresponding to the through electrode 120, and gradually thinner as it is distanced from the through electrode 120.

Thus, there is no need to form an opening in the dielectric layer 230 of the semiconductor device 201, and this simplifies a manufacturing process. Here, the blanket process means wet or dry etching performed upon the entire top surface of the dielectric layer 230.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device 301 according to another embodiment is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 3, the semiconductor device 301 according to another embodiment is similar to the semiconductor device 201 illustrated in FIG. 2, and thus only the significant differences will now be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, a dielectric layer 330 does not have an opening or a protrusion. That is, the top surface 332 of the dielectric layer 330 may be in the same plane as the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120. Furthermore, a conductive pad 340 is formed on only the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120. That is, the conductive pad 340 is not formed on the sidewall of the through electrode 120, and thus the conductive pad 340 has a substantially planar shape. Here, the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 has a substantially planar shape.

The semiconductor device 301 is manufactured by exposing the through electrode 120 through a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) to the dielectric layer 330, and applying a plating process to the top surface 121 of the exposed through electrode 120. Here, by the CMP process, the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 and the top surface 332 of the dielectric layer 330 are all in the same plane.

Referring to FIGS. 4A through 4E, a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device 101 of FIG. 1A according to another embodiment is illustrated. The manufacturing method of the semiconductor device 101 according to another embodiment includes forming a through electrode, etching a semiconductor die, forming a dielectric layer, forming an opening, and forming a conductive pad.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in the forming a through electrode, a through hole 113 is formed in a semiconductor die 110 having a first surface 111A and a second surface 112 opposing the first surface 111A, and an insulating layer 114 is formed on the inner wall of the through hole 113. Thereafter, a through electrode 120 is formed inside the insulating layer 114.

Here, the through hole 113 is formed by any one of laser drilling, wet etching, dry etching, or equivalent methods thereof, but the method for forming the through hole 113 is not limited thereto. However, the laser drilling, unlike wet etching or dry etching, does not require a mask manufacturing process, a photo-process or the like, and allows the length and width of the through hole 113 to be set relatively easily.

Furthermore, the insulating layer 114 may be formed of silicon oxide (SiOx) or silicon nitride (SiNx) by using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method or may be formed of a polymer by using a spin coating method or a sublimation method. However, the method for forming the insulating layer 114 is not limited to the described ones.

Furthermore, the through electrode 120 may be formed of any one selected from the group consisting of copper, tungsten, aluminum, gold, silver or equivalents thereof, but the material of the through electrode 120 is not limited thereto.

Substantially, before the through electrode 120 is formed, a barrier and/or seed layer (not shown) may be formed on the inner wall of the through hole 113 (i.e., the inner wall of the insulating layer 114). Furthermore, the through electrode 120 may be formed of an electroplating process or an electroless plating process.

Furthermore, a conductive bump 150 is formed on the bond pad 116. Here, the conductive bump 150 has a greater diameter than that the through electrode 120. In some cases, a solder cap 151 may be formed on the conductive bump 150.

Also, the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 may be formed to be in the same plane as the first surface 111A of the semiconductor die 110. Substantially, the first surface 111A of the semiconductor die 110 may be formed through back-grinding such that the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 is exposed externally through the first surface 111A of the semiconductor die 110.

Due to the back-grinding, the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 is substantially planar. Furthermore, a region removed by the back-grinding is an inactive region other than an active region 115, and the removal thereof does not have any influence on the operation of the semiconductor die 110. Reference numeral 117 in the drawing indicates another insulating layer covering the active region 115 and the circumference of the bond pad 116.

As shown in FIG. 4B, in the etching of the semiconductor die, the first surface 111A (FIG. 4A) of the semiconductor die 110 is removed to a predetermined depth by dry etching or wet etching to form the first surface 111 (FIG. 4B). Here, an etchant used in the dry etching or the wet etching affects only the semiconductor die 110 and the insulating layer 114, and has no influence on the through electrode 120. Accordingly, this etching provides a portion of the through electrode 120 extending and protruding upwardly to a predetermined length through the semiconductor die 110 and the insulating layer 114.

As shown in FIG. 4C, in the forming a dielectric layer, the first surface 111 of the semiconductor die 110 is coated with a dielectric layer 130 with a sufficient thickness to cover the through electrode 120. The dielectric layer 130 is formed by, for example, a spin coating method, but the coating method of the dielectric layer 130 is not limited. Furthermore, the dielectric layer 130 may be formed of one selected from the group consisting of Poly Benz Oxazole (PBO), Polylmide (PI), Benzo Cyclo Butene (BCB), BismaleimideTriazine (BT), phenolic resin, epoxy, Silicone, and equivalents thereof, but the material of the dielectric layer 130 is not limited thereto.

As the dielectric layer 130 is formed in the above manner, the thickness of the dielectric layer 130 becomes greater than the length (or thickness) of the through electrode 120 extending and protruding from the first surface 111 of the semiconductor die 110.

As shown in FIG. 4D, in the forming an opening, the dielectric layer 130 is removed partially corresponding to the through electrode 120, thus forming an opening 131 with a predetermined depth and width. For example, a mask is formed on a portion of the dielectric layer 130 not corresponding to the through electrode 120, and is not formed on the other portion of the dielectric layer 130 which does corresponding to the through electrode 120.

In this state, by partially removing the dielectric layer 130 using wet etching or dry etching, the opening 131 with a predetermined depth and width is formed. Here, the opening 131 has an inclined shape. That is, the opening 131 has a narrower lower region and is widened toward its upper region. Of course, the through electrode 120, i.e., the exposed top surface 121 and both side surfaces 122, is exposed to the outside through the opening 131.

As shown in FIG. 4E, in the forming a conductive pad, a conductive pad 140 is formed on the through electrode 120, extending and protruding through the opening 131, by an electroless plating method. The conductive pad 140 includes a first electroless plating layer 141, a second electroplating layer 142, and a third electroplating layer 143 as described above.

The first electroless plating layer 141 is formed to surround the through electrode 120. Furthermore, the second electroless plating layer 142 roughly covers the first electroless plating layer 141. Also, the third electroless plating layer 143 roughly covers the second electroless plating layer 142.

Furthermore, the first electroless plating layer 141 may be formed of nickel or equivalents thereof. Also, the second electroless plating layer 142 may be formed of palladium or equivalents thereof. Furthermore, the third electroless plating layer 143 may be formed of gold or equivalents thereof. Here, the second electroless plating layer 142 may not be formed in some cases.

Since the conductive pad 140 is formed by an electroless plating method as described above, there is no need for seed metal, as well as a high-temperature sputtering process for the formation of seed metal.

In another embodiment, referring back to FIGS. 2 and 4C together, after the dielectric layer 130 (FIG. 4C) is formed, the entirety of the top surface of the dielectric layer 130 is dry- or wet-etched by using the blanket process to form the dielectric layer 230 (FIG. 2), thus causing the through electrode 120 to protrude, and subsequently the conductive pad 240 is formed on the through electrode 120. In such a manner, the semiconductor device 201 shown in FIG. 2 is obtained through wet or dry etching.

In yet another embodiment, referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4C together, after the dielectric layer 130 (FIG. 4C) is formed, the entirety of the top surface of the dielectric layer 130 is subjected to grinding by using a CMP process to form the dielectric layer 330 (FIG. 3), thus exposing the through electrode 120, and subsequently, the conductive pad 340 is formed on the through electrode 120. In such a manner, the semiconductor device 301 shown in FIG. 3 is obtained.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device 401 according to another embodiment is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 5, the semiconductor device 401 according to another embodiment is similar to the semiconductor device 101 shown in FIG. 1A, and thus only the significant differences will now be described.

An insulating layer 414 surrounding the through electrode 120 may extend not only between the first surface 111 and the second surface 112 of the semiconductor die 110 as in FIG. 1A but also to an opening 431 in a dielectric layer 430. That is, the insulating layer 414 extends upwardly to a predetermined length through the first surface 111 of the semiconductor die 110, and thus is interposed between the dielectric layer 430 and the through electrode 120. In the above manner, the dielectric layer 430 contacts the insulating layer 414, rather than the through electrode 120.

Furthermore, a conductive pad 440 may be disposed on the through electrode 120 outside the insulating layer 414. That is, the conductive pad 440 is formed on the top surface 121 and both side surfaces 122 of the through electrode 120 protruding through the insulating layer 414, and the thickness of the conductive pad 440 may be almost similar to the thickness of the insulating layer 414, but the thickness of the conductive pad 440 is not limited thereto. Here, the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 is not planar but substantially curved.

In such a manner, according to this embodiment, the through electrode 120 does not come into direct contact with the dielectric layer 430. That is, the insulating layer 414 is further interposed between the through electrode 120 and the dielectric layer 430. Accordingly, insulating properties for the through electrode 120 are more enhanced.

Referring to FIG. 6, a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device 501 according to another embodiment is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 6, the semiconductor device 501 according to this embodiment is similar to the semiconductor device 201 shown in FIG. 2, and thus only the significant differences will now be described.

An insulating layer 514 fully covers both side portions, i.e., the entire sidewall, of the through electrode 120. That is, the insulating layer 514 is formed not only between the first surface 111 and the second surface 112 of the semiconductor die 110 but also between the through electrode 120 and a dielectric layer 530. In other words, the entirety of the outer cylindrical sidewall other than the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 is covered with the insulating layer 514. Accordingly, the through electrode 120 and the dielectric layer 530 do not come into direct contact with each other. Also, the dielectric layer 530 formed around the insulating layer 514 may further include a projection 531 in a region corresponding to the through electrode 120.

Also, a conductive pad 540 is formed on only the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 exposed through the insulating layer 514. Of course, as described above, the conductive pad 540 includes a first electroless plating layer, a second electroless plating layer, and a third electroless plating layer similar to the layers 141, 142, 143 described above. Here, the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 is not planar but substantially curved.

The semiconductor device 501 is manufactured by applying a blanket process to the dielectric layer 530 to thus expose the through electrode 120, and applying a plating process to the top surface 121 of the exposed through electrode 120. Here, due to the blanket process, the dielectric layer 530 is the thickest in a region (the protrusion 531) corresponding to the through electrode 120, and becomes thinner as it is distanced from the through electrode 120.

Referring to FIG. 7, a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device 601 according to another embodiment is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 7, the semiconductor device 601 according to another embodiment is similar to the semiconductor device 201 shown in FIG. 2, and thus only the significant differences will now be described.

An insulating layer 614 fully covers the entire sidewall of the through electrode 120. Also, the respective top surfaces of the through electrode 120, the insulating layer 614 and a dielectric layer 630 are in the same plane. Thus, the through electrode 120 and the dielectric 630 do not come into directly contact with each other. Also, a conductive pad 640 is formed on only the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 exposed through the insulating layer 614.

The semiconductor device 601 is manufactured by applying a CMP process to the dielectric layer 630 to thus expose the through electrode 120, and applying a plating process to the top surface 121 of the exposed through electrode 120. Here, due to the CMP process, the respective top surfaces 121 of the through electrode 120, the insulating layer 614 and the dielectric layer 630 are in the same plane. That is, the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 has a substantially planar shape. Of course, due to the aforementioned process, the dielectric layer 630 does not have any opening or protrusion.

Referring to FIGS. 8A through 8E, a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device 401 of FIG. 5 according to one embodiment is illustrated. The method of manufacturing the semiconductor device 401 according to another embodiment includes forming a through electrode, etching a semiconductor die, forming a dielectric layer, forming an opening, and forming a conductive pad.

As shown in FIG. 8A, in the forming a through electrode, a through hole 113 is formed in a semiconductor die 110 having a first surface 111A and a second surface 112 opposing the first surface 111A, an insulating layer 414 is formed on the inner wall of the through hole 113, and a through electrode 120 is then formed inside the insulating layer 414. In this case, the insulating layer 414 surrounds the top surface 121 and the entire sidewall of the through electrode 120.

As shown in FIG. 8B, in the etching a semiconductor die, the first surface 111A of the semiconductor die 110 (FIG. 8A) is removed to a predetermined depth by wet etching or dry etching to form a first surface 111 (FIG. 8B). Here, an etchant used for the dry etching or the wet etching affects only the semiconductor die 110 and does not affect the insulating layer 414. By the etching process, the upper regions of the through electrode 120 and the insulating layer 414 extend and protrude upwardly to a predetermined length through the first surface 111 of the semiconductor die 110.

As shown in FIG. 8C, in the forming a dielectric layer, the first surface 111 of the semiconductor die 110 is coated with a dielectric layer 430 having a sufficient thickness to cover the insulating layer 414 formed on the surface of the through electrode 120.

As shown in FIG. 8D, in the forming an opening, a portion of the dielectric layer 430 corresponding to the through electrode 120 is removed to thus form an opening 431 having a predetermined depth and width. At this time, the insulating layer 414 formed on the through electrode 120 is also removed. That is, the insulating layer 414 formed in a region corresponding to the through electrode 120 exposed through the opening 431 is also removed. Accordingly, the through electrode 120 without the insulating layer 414 is exposed to the outside through the opening 431. However, even in this state, the dielectric layer 430 is in contact with the insulating layer 414 without contacting the through electrode 120.

As shown in FIG. 8E, in the forming a conductive pad, a conductive pad 440 is formed on the through electrode 120 extending and protruding through the opening 431 by an electroless plating method. For example, a first electroless plating layer, a second electroless plating layer, and a third electroless plating layer as described above are sequentially formed to thus form the conductive pad 440. Of course, due to the aforementioned process, the conductive pad 440 can come into contact with the insulating layer 414 and/or the dielectric layer 430.

In another embodiment, referring back to FIGS. 6 and 8C together, after the dielectric layer 430 (FIG. 8C) is formed, the entirety of the top surface of the dielectric layer 430 and a portion of the insulating layer 414 are wet- or dry-etched by using a blanket process to form the dielectric layer 530 (FIG. 6) to thus cause the through electrode 120 to protrude, and subsequently, the conductive pad 540 is formed on the through electrode 120. In such a manner, the semiconductor device 501 shown in FIG. 6 is obtained.

In another embodiment, referring back to FIGS. 7 and 8C together, after the dielectric layer 430 (FIG. 8C) is formed, the entirety of the top surface of the dielectric layer 430 and a portion of the insulating layer 414 are subjected to grinding by using a CMP process to form the dielectric layer 630 (FIG. 7) to thus expose the through electrode 120, and subsequently, the conductive pad 640 is formed on the through electrode 120. In such a manner, the semiconductor device 601 shown in FIG. 7 is obtained.

Referring to FIG. 9, a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device 701 according to another embodiment is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 9, the semiconductor device 701 according to another embodiment is similar to the semiconductor device 101 shown in FIG. 1A, and only the significant differences will now be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, a conductive pad 740 is formed on the through electrode 120 protruding and extending through an opening 731 of a dielectric layer 730, and the conductive pad 740 contacts an insulating layer 714 surrounding the through electrode 120. Accordingly, substantially, the dielectric layer 730 does not come into contact with the through electrode 120, and contacts only the insulating layer 714 and the conductive pad 740. Here, the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 is roughly curved shape, which is not planar.

Referring to FIG. 10, a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device 801 according to another embodiment is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 10, the semiconductor device 801 according to another embodiment is similar to the semiconductor device 201 shown in FIG. 2, and thus only the significant differences will now be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 is exposed through a dielectric layer 830. That is, the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 is exposed through a protrusion 831 of the dielectric layer 830. Also, a conductive pad 840 is formed on the top surface 121 of the exposed through electrode 120. Accordingly, the conductive pad 840 slightly protrudes through the dielectric layer 830. Here, the top surface 121 of the through electrode 120 is not planar and has a substantially curved shape.

Referring to FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D1, and 11E1, a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device 701 of FIG. 9 according to another embodiment is illustrated. The manufacturing method of the semiconductor device 701 according to another embodiment includes forming a through electrode, etching a semiconductor die, forming a dielectric layer, forming an opening, and forming a conductive pad.

As shown in FIG. 11A, in the forming a through electrode, a through hole 113 is formed in a semiconductor die 110 having a first surface 111A and a second surface 112 opposing the first surface 111A, an insulating layer 714 is formed on the inner wall of the through hole 113, and a through electrode 120 is then formed inside the insulating layer 714. At this time, the insulating layer 714 surrounds the top surface 121 and the entire sidewall of the through electrode 120.

As shown in FIG. 11B, in the etching a semiconductor die, the first surface 111A of the semiconductor die 110 (FIG. 11A) is removed to a predetermined depth through wet etching or dry etching to form the first surface 111 as illustrated in FIG. 11B. An etchant used in the dry etching or the wet etching affects only the semiconductor die 110 and the insulating layer 714, and does not affect the through electrode 120. Accordingly, due to this etching process, the upper region of the through electrode 120 extends and protrudes upwardly to a predetermined length through the first surface 111 of the semiconductor die 110.

As shown in FIG. 11C, in the forming a dielectric layer, the first surface 111 of the semiconductor die 110 is coated with a dielectric layer 730 having a sufficient thickness to cover the through electrode 120.

As shown in FIG. 11D1, in the forming an opening, a portion of the dielectric layer 730 corresponding to the through electrode 120 is removed to thus form an opening 731 extending entirely thorough the dielectric layer 730 to expose the insulating layer 714. At this time, the through electrode 120 is exposed as well.

As shown in FIG. 11E1, in the forming a conductive pad, a conductive pad 740 is formed on the through electrode 120 extending and protruding through the opening 731 by using an electroless plating method. The conductive pad 740 extends entirely through the dielectric layer 730 to contact the insulating layer 714. Accordingly, substantially, the dielectric layer 730 does not come into contact with the through electrode 120, and contacts only the insulating layer 714 and the conductive pad 740.

FIGS. 11D2, 11E2 are cross-sectional views of the semiconductor device of FIG. 11C at later stages during fabrication in accordance with an alternative embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11D2, in the forming an opening, a portion of the dielectric layer 730 corresponding to the through electrode 120 is removed to thus form an opening 731. The opening 731 extends only partially, but not entirely, through the dielectric layer 730 such that a portion of the dielectric layer 730 remains above the insulating layer 714. At this time, the through electrode 120 is exposed as well.

As shown in FIG. 11E2, in the forming a conductive pad, a conductive pad 740 is formed on the through electrode 120 extending and protruding through the opening 731 by using an electroless plating method. The conductive pad 740 extends partially, but not entirely, through the dielectric layer 730 to be space apart from the insulating layer 714. Accordingly, substantially, a portion of the dielectric layer 730 does come into contact with the through electrode 120 between the insulating layer 714 and the conductive pad 740.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, referring back to FIGS. 10 and 11C, after the dielectric layer 730 (FIG. 11C) is formed, the entirety of the top surface of the dielectric layer 730 is wet- or dry-etched by using a blanket process to form the dielectric layer 830 (FIG. 10) to thus allow the through electrode 120 to protrude, and subsequently, the conductive pad 840 is formed on the through electrode 120. In this manner, the semiconductor device 801 shown in FIG. 10 is obtained.

In accordance with another embodiment, referring back to FIGS. 3 and 11C together, after the dielectric layer 730 (FIG. 11C) is formed, the entirety of the top surface of the dielectric layer 730 is subjected to grinding to form the dielectric layer 330 as illustrated in FIG. 3 to thus expose the through electrode 120, and subsequently, the conductive pad 340 is formed on the through electrode 120. In this manner, the semiconductor device 301 shown in FIG. 3 is obtained.

Referring to FIG. 12, a state in which the semiconductor device 101 of FIG. 1A is bonded to a carrier wafer 912 by a temporary bonding adhesive 911 for a plating process of a manufacturing method of the semiconductor device 101 according to an embodiment is illustrated.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the manufacturing process of the semiconductor device 101, the semiconductor device 101 is bonded to a carrier wafer 912 by a temporary bonding adhesive 911. That is, the conductive bump 150, the solder cap 151, the insulating layer 117 of the semiconductor device 101 are bonded to the carrier wafer 912 by the temporary bonding adhesive 911.

Here, since the temporary bonding adhesive 911 has a low level of viscosity at a high-temperature process in general, the semiconductor device 101 is easily separated from the carrier wafer 912 in a high-temperature process. Furthermore, a gas generated from the temporary bonding adhesive 911 may cause cracking in the semiconductor device 101. That is, the temporary bonding adhesive 911 is not suitable for a high-temperature process such as existing sputtering.

However, according to embodiments, a low-temperature process such as plating is used rather than a high-temperature process such as sputtering, and thus the semiconductor device 101 is not easily separated from the carrier wafer 912 during a plating process. Also, the use of the low-temperature process does not cause gas generation from the temporary bonding adhesive 911, and prevents cracking in the semiconductor device 101.

Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of the invention is at least as broad as given by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor die; a through hole in the semiconductor die; an insulating layer coupled to an inner wall of the through hole; a through electrode inside of the insulating layer; a dielectric layer coupled to a first surface of the semiconductor die, the through electrode and insulating layer penetrating the dielectric layer; and a conductive pad coupled to only a top surface of the through electrode, wherein a top end portion of the insulating layer is exposed between the dielectric layer and the conductive pad.
 2. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the insulating layer fully covers an entire sidewall of the through electrode.
 3. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the top surface of the through electrode, a top surface of the dielectric layer, and a top surface of the insulating layer are in the same plane.
 4. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the through electrode and the dielectric layer do not directly contact one another.
 5. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dielectric layer comprises a top horizontal surface and a projection corresponding to the through electrode, where the projection extends upward from the top horizontal surface of the dielectric layer.
 6. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the top surface of the through electrode is curved.
 7. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the through electrode protrudes through the dielectric layer.
 8. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor die; a through hole in the semiconductor die; an insulating layer coupled to an inner wall of the through hole; a through electrode inside of the insulating layer; a dielectric layer coupled to a first surface of the semiconductor die, the through electrode and insulating layer penetrating the dielectric layer; and a conductive pad coupled to a top surface of the through electrode, the conductive pad being entirely inward of the insulating layer.
 9. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the dielectric layer directly contacts the first surface of the semiconductor die.
 10. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the top surface of the through electrode, a top surface of the dielectric layer, and a top surface of the insulating layer are in the same plane.
 11. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the semiconductor die comprises: an inactive region on the first surface of the semiconductor die; an active region on a second surface of the semiconductor die opposite the first surface of the semiconductor die; a bond pad coupled to a bottom surface of the through electrode in the active region; and a conductive bump coupled to the bond pad.
 12. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the insulating layer, when viewed from directly above the conductive pad, completely encircles the conductive pad.
 13. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor die comprising a top inactive surface and a bottom active surface opposite the top inactive surface; a through hole in the semiconductor die; an insulating layer coupled to an inner wall of the through hole; a through electrode inside of the insulating layer; a dielectric layer coupled to the top inactive surface of the semiconductor die, the through electrode penetrating the dielectric layer; a conductive pad coupled to only a top surface of the through electrode; and a bond pad coupled to a bottom end of the through electrode directly below the conductive pad.
 14. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the through electrode protrudes through the dielectric layer and contacts the dielectric layer.
 15. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the top surface of the through electrode is curved.
 16. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the insulating layer contacts the dielectric layer and keeps the dielectric layer from contacting the through electrode.
 17. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 16, wherein only the insulating layer is between the dielectric layer and the through electrode.
 18. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the dielectric layer comprises a top horizontal surface and a projection corresponding to the through electrode, where the projection extends upward from the top horizontal surface of the dielectric layer.
 19. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the top surface of the through electrode and a top surface of the dielectric layer are in a same plane.
 20. The semiconductor device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the top surface of the through electrode, a top surface of the dielectric layer, and a top surface of the insulating layer are in a same plane. 